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The best documentaries on Netflix right now

Right now the best documentaries and docuseries on Netflix in the United States are The Last Dance (2020), Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019) and Our Planet (2019). This is the top 30 streaming there today, ranked by how well rated each one is, how many people have rated it, and what people are watching now.

Updated November 11, 2026 · streaming in the United States

Pick three for meAllFilmsSeries

  1. 1. The Last Dance2020

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.3

    A 10-part documentary chronicling the untold story of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty with rare, never-before-seen footage and sound from the 1997-98 championship season – plus over 100 interviews with famous figures and…

    Stream onNetflix

  2. 2. Formula 1: Drive to Survive2019

    Series · 8 seasonsDocumentary★ 8.2

    Drivers, managers and team owners live life in the fast lane — both on and off the track — during each cutthroat season of Formula 1 racing.

    Stream onNetflixApple TV

  3. 3. Our Planet2019

    Series · 2 seasonsDocumentary, Family★ 8.5

    Experience our planet's natural beauty and examine how climate change impacts all living creatures in this ambitious documentary of spectacular scope.

    Stream onNetflix

  4. 4. The Dinosaurs2026

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary, Animation★ 8.0

    From the first dinosaurs to the last, this epic documentary series examines their 165 million years on Earth and the forces that shaped their evolution.

    Stream onNetflix

  5. 5. Making a Murderer2015

    Series · 2 seasonsDocumentary, Crime★ 7.8

    Filmed over 10 years, this real-life thriller follows a DNA exoneree who, while exposing police corruption, becomes a suspect in a grisly new crime.

    Stream onNetflix

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  7. 6. My Octopus Teacher2020

    Film · 1h 25mDocumentary★ 7.9

    After years of swimming every day in the freezing ocean at the tip of Africa, Craig Foster meets an unlikely teacher: a young octopus who displays remarkable curiosity.

    Stream onNetflix

  8. 7. David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet2020

    Film · 1h 23mDocumentary, Drama★ 8.4

    The story of life on our planet by the man who has seen more of the natural world than any other. In more than 90 years, Attenborough has visited every continent on the globe, exploring the wild places of our planet and documenting the…

    Stream onNetflix

  9. 8. Life on Our Planet2023

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.1

    Life's extraordinary journey to conquer, adapt and survive on Earth across billions of years comes alive in this groundbreaking nature docuseries.

    Stream onNetflix

  10. 9. Unsolved Mysteries2020

    Series · 3 seasonsDocumentary, Drama, Mystery★ 7.7

    Real cases of perplexing disappearances, shocking murders and paranormal encounters fuel this gripping revival of the iconic documentary series.

    Stream onNetflix

  11. 10. The Social Dilemma2020

    Film · 1h 35mDocumentary, Drama★ 7.5

    This documentary-drama hybrid explores the dangerous human impact of social networking, with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations.

    Stream onNetflix

  12. 11. Beckham2023

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.0

    With never-before-seen footage, this docuseries follows David Beckham's meteoric rise from humble beginnings to global football stardom.

    Stream onNetflix

  13. 12. Arnold2023

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 7.9

    This intimate docuseries follows Arnold Schwarzenegger's multifaceted life and career, from bodybuilding champ to Hollywood icon to politician.

    Stream onNetflix

  14. 13. Rafa2026

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.4

    RAFA retraces Nadal's remarkable journey with cinematic scope, combining testimonies from those who know him best—on and off the court—with unseen moments that reveal what lies behind the legend.

    Stream onNetflix

  15. 14. Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes2022

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary, Crime★ 7.8

    Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer confesses to his gruesome crimes in unguarded interviews, offering an unsettling view into a disturbed mind.

    Stream onNetflix

  16. 15. Ancient Aliens2010

    Series · 22 seasonsDocumentary, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy★ 7.1

    Did intelligent beings from outer space visit Earth thousands of years ago? From the age of the dinosaurs to ancient Egypt, from early cave drawings to continued mass sightings in the US, each episode gives historic depth to the questions,…

    Stream onNetflixPrime VideoDisney+Hulu+9

  17. 16. Rise of Empires: Ottoman2020

    Series · 2 seasonsDocumentary, War & Politics, Action & Adventure★ 7.5

    Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II wages an epic campaign to take the Byzantine capital of Constantinople and shapes the course of history for centuries.

    Stream onNetflixThe Great Courses

  18. 17. Apollo 112019

    Film · 1h 33mDocumentary, History, Drama★ 7.9

    A look at the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon led by commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin.

    Stream onNetflixHistory VaultKanopy (free)

  19. 18. Captains of the World2023

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.4

    From the locker room to the pitch, this docuseries offers exclusive access to all 32 teams as they fight for football glory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

    Stream onNetflix

  20. 19. Mr. McMahon2024

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 7.8

    WWE experienced record-breaking highs and crushing lows under Vince McMahon's leadership. This docuseries delves into the mogul's controversial reign.

    Stream onNetflix

  21. 20. 13th2016

    Film · 1h 41mDocumentary★ 7.8

    An in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and how it reveals the nation's history of racial inequality.

    Stream onNetflix

  22. 21. MOURINHO2026

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 7.8

    This trophy-packed, insider-fuelled documentary charts José Mourinho's iconic rise as one of the world's top footballing managers of the most elite clubs.

    Stream onNetflix

  23. 22. Money Heist: From Tokyo to Berlin2021

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.2

    The filmmakers and actors behind "Money Heist" characters like Tokyo and the Professor talk about the emotional artistic process of filming the series.

    Stream onNetflix

  24. 23. The First 482004

    Series · 30 seasonsDocumentary, Drama, Crime★ 7.9

    The First 48 follows detectives from around the country during these first critical hours as they race against time to find the suspect.

    Stream onNetflixPrime VideoDisney+Hulu+10

  25. 24. Miss Americana2020

    Film · 1h 25mDocumentary, Music★ 7.8

    A raw and emotionally revealing look at one of the most iconic artists of our time during a transformational period in her life as she learns to embrace her role not only as a songwriter and performer, but as a woman harnessing the full…

    Stream onNetflix

  26. 25. World War II: From the Frontlines2023

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary, War & Politics★ 8.0

    Through vividly enhanced archival footage and voices from all sides of the conflict, this docuseries brings WWII to life like never before.

    Stream onNetflix

  27. 26. Greatest Events of World War II in Colour2019

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary, War & Politics★ 8.1

    Using highly advanced colourisation techniques, critical moments from World War II, from Stalingrad to The Battle of Britain, are shown in a whole new light.

    Stream onNetflix

  28. 27. Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond - Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton2017

    Film · 1h 34mDocumentary, Drama, Comedy★ 7.5

    Through the lens of his stunningly immersive performance as Andy Kaufman, Jim Carrey ponders the meaning of life, reality, identity and career.

    Stream onNetflix

  29. 28. The Greatest Night in Pop2024

    Film · 1h 36mDocumentary, Music★ 7.9

    On a January night in 1985, music's biggest stars gathered to record "We Are the World." This documentary goes behind the scenes of the historic event.

    Stream onNetflix

  30. 29. Icarus2017

    Film · 2h 2mDocumentary★ 7.6

    While investigating the furtive world of illegal doping in sports, director Bryan Fogel connects with renegade Russian scientist Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov—a pillar of his country's "anti-doping" program.

    Stream onNetflix

  31. 30. Maternal Instinct2026

    Film · 1h 37mDocumentary, Crime★ 7.2

    Police pull over a woman who claims she just gave birth. But the baby — and the blood — aren't hers. Twisted lies unravel in this true-crime documentary.

    Stream onNetflix

Questions

What are the best documentaries and docuseries on Netflix right now?
In the United States, as of November 11, 2026: The Last Dance (2020), rated 8.3 out of 10 on TMDB, then Formula 1: Drive to Survive and Our Planet.
How is this list made?
Watchwalla asks TMDB for everything of this kind that streams in your country today, ranks it by rating (pulled toward the middle until enough people have rated a title), with a nudge for what's new and what people are watching now, and refreshes the list every day. Streaming availability comes from JustWatch, through TMDB.
Can it pick something for me?
Yes. The picker at watchwalla.com/tonight asks who's watching, how much time you have and what you're in the mood for, and gives three picks streaming where you are. Sign in and every title also gets a match score for your own taste.

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